Chip Oglesby

Despite the unbearable humid summer weather, it’s still my favorite time of year. Here’s why.

Disclosure: This photo was taken during December, but it still reminds me of all the days I spent at the beach during the summer.

A look back through 2009 in photos.

2009 was a very busy year for me personally and professionally. It will always be remembered as the year that “all of my friends got married.” In addition to staying busy, my camera spent a lot of time sitting in a bag because my lens (17-85 f4-5.6) didn’t work half of the time. I’m working on getting that fixed now. At least it still shoots.

This year was a really off year for travel as well. I usually spend my summer traveling between Charleston and Asheville which I didn’t do much of this year.

I hope that in 2010 I’ll be able to some trips and spend time doing some actual shooting.

Enjoy the images below, I’ll have a couple more to add before January 1, 2010, until then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

View the rest of Album one here View the rest of Album II here

I woke up this morning and it was really nice outside. Instead of being responsible and doing chores and laundry, I packed a towel and my camera and set out for Sullivan’s Island. Somewhere between Columbia and Charleston, near Holly Hill, the lines on the melting asphalt turn from dotted lines into stretchy lines of taffy that pass by my window as the sun warms my face through the sunroof of my car.

One of the reasons for the trip was to test my car to see how it was holding up. It’s a ’95 and is pushing over 200,400 miles on it (after todays trip). As soon as I was about to drift off while Bob Marley mellows me out, I see the first glimmer of of the low-country, a palm tree. Soon, I see rows and rows of palm trees as I draw closer to Charleston. After crossing the Ravenel bridge, I make a few turns and arrive at my destination, Sullivan’s Island.

There are two main reasons why I go to SI. The first is being, it’s so much less crowded than Isle of Palms. You can walk and walk and not see the tops of neon color house sticking out over the dunes like small peeps (candy) in a pile of sugar. The second reason is Poe’s Tavern. They have the best Mahi Tacos and Yellowfin Tuna tacos. Either one and a corona will leave you in a daze for the rest of the afternoon.

After keeping my feet in the warm sand and getting a nice tan on my face, I headed to Poe’s for some dinner and then went to IOP to watch the sun set. There are so many times when I’ve talked about doing things and never followed through, but after spending all day yesterday thinking about consumerism, I decided to put my thoughts into action. God made all of this beautiful land for us to enjoy and give him praise for allowing us to take shelter here, shouldn’t we get out and enjoy it?The drive back seemed to be so much quicker than the drive down and I’ve often wondered why? Am I ready to get back home? Is it because it’s night time? Within no time, I had arrived safely at home without anyone knowing I was even gone.

See the rest of my photos here.

So I think this blog has been dormant for long enough. In the past few months, I’ve laid down my camera and it sat in my room gathering dust, only to be used on occasion. When I was in college, my dream was to be a photographer. It’s been hard lately, because I haven’t felt that way and I can’t figure out why.

When I worked in Lancaster, I felt like I was finally learning to see. Learning to see the world differently from most people and I’m ready to start feeling that way again. I’m ready to push away from the computer on my days off and go out and explore the world with the passion that I use to carry in my heart.

It’s time for me to start being creative again.

The reason for doing this is simple. In the day and age of twitter, facebook, emails and all sorts of technology, it’s easy to get caught up and constantly being on the computer.

It started out simply enough for me. First came the day that I realized that I spent most of my time awake on or near a computer. It’s what I do for a living as an online producer and that cannot be ignored.

Then I realized that instead of picking up a phone to actually contact someone, I would use email, facebook, im or twitter to reach the intended person. I started craving the old ways of reaching people, handwritten letters and personal telephone calls.

After that came the great 48 hours of “disconnect” where I spent my whole weekend away from the computer, which brings me to where I am today.

Starting in Janurary sometime, I set a limit to no more than 15 minutes on the computer before or after work. The one time that I do get on the computer for more than that is on Friday’s to watch LOST. I’ve started reading more books and I’ve also started keeping a personal journal. I now also walk three miles a day and that makes me happy

If you read this blog, that means one of two things. One your a member of my family or your one of my close friends who I’ve given this link to or two, you’ve stumbled on this blog by accident or found it through some other means.

I just want to say thank you all for supporting me and letting me photograph you constantly!

Thank you!

To see my Asheville and Charleston photos, click here.

On Sunday we went to Sullivans Island down in Charleston. It was fun until I thought I had lost my wallet (I found it later, in my backpack). But nonetheless it was 80 and the perfect day to go to the beach with some friends.